Are migrants selected on health? Evidence from a Mexico-Colorado labor stream

Mexican immigrants who are new to the U.S. show remarkably high levels of health, a phenomenon known as the healthy migrant effect (HME). Researchers have hypothesized that the HME is the result of a selection process, through which those who are better off tend to move; or the result of the more healthful behaviors that are norm in the countries of origin of immigrants. There is still great need of research that includes the right comparison group: those who do not migrate and stay in their communities of origin. This study assessed if the HME took place in a bounded male-only labor migration stream from Mexico to Colorado. This was a binational cross-sectional survey that evaluated the health status and behaviors of 384 adult males. A variety of self-reported and measured health status indicators were evaluated. Logistic regression models were used to determine if positive health status predicted being in the migrant or non-migrant group. Results support partially the existence of a HME in this migration stream: Having lower depressive symptomatology and better relative self-rated health increased the probability of being in the migrant group; while having normal blood pressure or body mass index, and healthy diet behaviors decreased the likelihood of being in the migrant group. These findings suggest that the positive migrant selection for health observed in the literature might be the result of using inadequate comparison groups and the selection of health indicators. Results of this study coincide with health indicators recent trends in Mexican rural communities.